Surgical Area
When Periprosthetic Joint Infection Starts to Look Less Like a Complication and More Like Disease.
4 min read
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Total hospital cost per PJI revision
The cost estimates reflect Spanish hospital and healthcare costs structures.
Total hospital + outpatient cost per PJI revision
The financial findings are based on UK NHS tariffs and hospital costs.
the cost of aseptic revision,
The financial findings are based on UK NHS tariffs and hospital costs.
Orthopaedic Infection is one of the most serious challenges in joint arthroplasty, with consequences that extend far beyond the procedure itself. It can affect patient recovery, mobility, confidence, and quality of life, while also placing significant pressure on care teams and healthcare systems. At Zimmer Biomet, we believe infection deserves focused attention and a more connected approach across the full continuum of care.
Periprosthetic Joint Infection (PJI) is one of the most common complications following total joint arthroplasty. Over 50% of early (<2 years) total knee arthroplasty revisions are caused by infection.
The burden of PJI can be seen in its effect on outcomes, resources, and the overall patient journey. From longer hospital stays and more complex treatment pathways to higher costs and greater risk of readmission, its impact reaches far beyond the initial procedure.
Revision surgery in the setting of PJI (septic revision) is estimated to have:
5-fold increase in cost
Longer hospital stay
Higher likelihood of readmission
Compared to the primary surgery.
As understanding of infection continues to evolve, it is worth asking whether PJI and FRI should always be viewed only as complications, or whether they are better understood as complex disease processes. This perspective helps broaden the conversation from technical management alone to the full clinical, human, and system burden involved.
